However, there's no question that Tesla Motors has developed a remarkable car in the Model S. From its sexy exterior looks to its high-tech interior, the Model S aims to impress. And now, we're still learning that the five-door hatchback has some serious performance credentials backing it up as well.

Automobile Magazine pitted a fresh Model S Performance against BMW's new F10 M5. The BMW M5 ($106,695) is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine developing a whopping 560hp and 500 lb-ft of torque (this is backed by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission). The Model S Performance ($102,270) has a rear-mounted motor that generates 416hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.

When the two were set on the drag strip for a 0-100 mph race, the 4,640-pound Model S Performance simply walked away from the 4,347-pound M5 off the line. This stellar performance is no doubt attributed to the electric car's instant torque that is available from 0 to 5,800 RPM.

The M5 narrowed the lead towards the end of the run, but there's no question that the Model S bested BMW's high-echelon performance sedan in this particular test. However, this is just one test, and we'd like to see a complete head-to-head comparison between the two vehicles in the usual battery of acceleration, braking, and handling metrics.

To see the Model S go up against the M5, take a look at the video below:

If the Tesla is only half as good as promised, we should see its lap times on the Nürburgring soon.

I'm looking forward to this - and also to the fill level of the Tesla's battery after 20km of racing ;-)

But seriously, I would be suprised if the Tesla could hold its own agains Porsches, Corvettes and M3/M5 and the like - after all, these companies are agressively fine-tuning everything to get their results, and they all have a century of experience with combustion engines.

There are plenty of stretches on the Nurburgring that will exceed 120mph, which the Model S simply isn't designed for and 99% of luxury sport sedan buyers won't ever reach.

A standard slalom test will give you a much better idea of roadholding at still illegal speeds (e.g. zipping though a winding road at twice the speed limit, which I still wouldn't do due to traction surprises on real roads).

Anyway, it clear that the Model S has its niche. The problem is that even the 300 mile version basically has a 120 mile tether on it unless you get lucky with a charger en route; otherwise, you're not getting back home. Even if you only want to exceed that a few times a year, it can be a dealbreaker.

They are building out there supercharger network, they have them already between San Francisco-Los Angeles, Los Angeles-Las Vegas, San Francisco-Las Vegas and San Francisco-Lake Tahoe. They intend to have a corridor for coast to coast travel up by the end of 2013, I think it was. Yes, this is regional to where they are based. They also planning to ramp up a supercharger network in Europe and Asia.

In case you aren't aware the superchargers can add 50% battery in ~30 minutes. Which is enough time to stretch your legs, use the bathroom or get something to eat. The superchargers are positioned close to restaurants.

I don't believe it can. All else, cornering, braking, etc. being equal, the EV could not complete enough laps for say a 100k race. Their claimed range is for driving super easy at perhaps 80 kph. It is not a linear relationship. To sustain twice the velocity requires more like 4x the energy.

I would be inclined to believe Rec on this one. The Roadster owners don't mind ripping around until they're out of juice and getting towed home but I'd imagine the S owners will be using their cars more practically than that given that the S is a sedan. Look at the new M5, the reason it's a big, bloated barge now is because it's owners prefer more luxury than sportiness. The S's owners will likely be the same people.

You know that there is a limited range in a gas car, and the S takes longer to charge. We all know this. But you say you can't hoon? If a car gets 100 miles on a charge you can hoon for five min, then baby it. If you have four gallons in your tank, you can only hoon for a couple min as well. If you live 10 miles from work you can hoon all you want as you know you will be charging it soon. If you live 100 miles away you would never be buying this car in the first place.

You can't hoon as much unless you plan your actions, but discounting all because you don't like the technology is, well, just like you i guess. You know this and are just trying to discount it.

I may be totally wrong here, but you seem to be skewering the the S since you are a (not really sure why you hate these types). Not an insult, just have no clue why you hate on them every article. If you hate on them every article, should I be listening to what you say, or is your numorus attacks on these types of article automaticly discount your opinion?

I think you miss the point here. Quit castrating the gas car to make it more in line with the EV. Simply put, I can hoon ALL DAY in my gas sports car. I have done this already. You cannot hoon at all in ANY EV like you can a gas car. And guess what? When I'm out of gas I drive down to the gas station for a few minutes, fill up, and do it again. Those with EV's will need to come back the next day. This past weekend I did a canyon run on the way to see some family. 45 minutes of full throttle, brake stabbing bliss. The Roadster can do that once, then it would have to recharge. I can turn my car right around and do it again a number of times, fill it up in a few minutes once I run out of gas and do it a bunch more. I don't know about you guys but I'm not staying in a hotel everytime I want to have some fun with my car nor do I want to be a on first name basis with the AAA guy.

What you said is true, but not really sure exactly what you are trying to point out. These are not even close to the best internal combustion technology, but saying hooning is impossible is just a fabrication(not saying you did). My argument is that it is possible with planing. Also, this isn't my EV. The BMW M5 E39 is my dream car.

We need these steps where you and i wouldn't purchase the cars, but early others will if we are going to get the technology to mature.

quote:You aren't going to be drag racing your Tesla on public roads because of range anxiety. The M5 driver can jackass around all day and when he needs to gas up, it takes a few minutes tops. The Tesla driver has to hyper-mile and hope he can make it home to charge, which then takes hours .

This statement seems to be "castrating" the electric car.

And just to be clear where i stand. I've been a car/motorcycle/engineering guy since it was a child. LOVE everything about cars. Have had cars ranging from 300hp VW Golf 4dr's, 475hp Mustangs, and sometimes just normal appliances. To me seeing these cars is exciting and dreadful at the same time.